TORONTO — Alessia Cara says she’s stepping away from her social media feeds after a recent onslaught of negative comments.

The Grammy-winning pop singer took to Instagram late Monday to share a number of screen shots from her Twitter account that showed users criticizing her appearance and firing obscenities at her.

The Brampton, Ont.-raised singer says the comments reflect “a way larger issue” with online bullying.

Cara, who grew up in Brampton, Ont., says she believes the separation created by computer and phone screens downplays the “gravity of words” in online conversations.

She also addressed the toxicity of “stan culture,” a term used to describe how super-fans divide themselves into factions online.

Performers including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Beyonce have ardent groups of supporters who boast about their favourite artist’s latest achievements but some also attack other artists.

The conversations frequently spiral into name calling and insults about a performer’s appearance or abilities.

“This whole world of stan culture, while it’s amazing and great and connective a lot of the time, it can be very hurtful,” Cara said in a video posted on Instagram.

“It gives people a platform to not only put people against each other but feel like they can say whatever they want to anybody all of the time. It sucks and it doesn’t feel good.”

Cara, who performed during the halftime of the 2018 Grey Cup game on Sunday, releases her latest album “The Pains of Growing” on Friday.

 

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The Canadian Press

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